How to Say ‘Please’ in French
S'il vous plaît
seel eel voo pleh
[seel eel voo pleh]
💬 Usage Tip: In [S'il vous plaît], the final [t] in [s'il] is normally silent. The whole phrase is said smoothly as one unit, roughly (seel voo pleh).
Phrase Breakdown
S'
[seel]
if
Part of the fixed polite expression s'il vous plaît.
S'il vous plaît, pouvez-vous vérifier la réservation ?
Please, can you check the reservation?
il
[eel]
he
Literally means he, but here it is part of the fixed phrase s'il vous plaît meaning please.
S'il vous plaît, j'ai une réservation.
Please, I have a reservation.
vous
[voo]
you
An object or formal plural form used in polite expressions and formal speech.
S'il vous plaît, confirmez-vous la date ?
Please, are you confirming the date?
plaît
[pleh]
pleases
Literally means pleases; in this expression it helps form the polite word please.
S'il vous plaît, une table près de la fenêtre.
Please, a table near the window.
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